How long does it take to become a martial arts instructor?

Answer 1

Aside from the obvious, such as a black belt if you study a martial art that uses the belt grading system, or an actual championship belt if you do MMA, you also need at least 5 years of experience training people. It has become an unwritten rule in the UFC that, the moment a person become champion, they start training people. The reason for that is that they are all aware they will not be fighting forever, so, they play it smart, and start acquiring trainer experience early on so that in the sport said skill will become marketable. In modern Martial Arts it has also become an unwritten rule that to run a school, you need to be champion of, whatever. The higher your ambition, the higher you need to aim regarding the champion level. If you are just planning on running a run-of-the-mill dojo, then, depending on state, just being a state champ is enough. If you want make six figures from teaching martial arts, you need to be a national or North American champ, if you want the big money, you need to be a world champion. Additionally you need an extensive background in health and fitness, not to mention dealing with sports injury. Despite any coaches best intentions guys get hurt.

Answer 2

Practice for many decades. It takes close to 50 years to be considered a grandmaster in the arts.

Answer 3

3 or 4 years